1
as in wicked
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the children had been so mischievous that we had to pay the babysitter extra and then clean up the mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naughty
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
punished for their mischievous tricks on the neighbors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm
mischievous gossip that ruined a good teacher's reputation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischievous
Labubu, the vinyl plush collectible with a snaggletoothed grin and knowingly mischievous eyes, has become a viral sensation and one of China’s fastest-rising exports.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
How could the man behind such works of impish, mischievous sweetness be so very bitter?
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Creative courage returns as the instinctive Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Play, urging you to express whatever stirs within.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
That was undeniably a mischievous choice on the part of Wrexham, but also an indication of just what victory meant to a club who, not so long ago, were four divisions below Swansea and surely wondering if the gap could ever be bridged.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
How could the man behind such works of impish, mischievous sweetness be so very bitter?
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Creative courage returns as the instinctive Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Play, urging you to express whatever stirs within.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
That was undeniably a mischievous choice on the part of Wrexham, but also an indication of just what victory meant to a club who, not so long ago, were four divisions below Swansea and surely wondering if the gap could ever be bridged.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischievous
Adjective
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Offensively, the Cubs didn’t do much against Guardians starter Joey Cantillo, armed with a wicked changeup, and the Cleveland bullpen.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The home needed to display her naughty sense of humor too.—
Julie Vadnal,
Architectural Digest,
18 Mar. 2026
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These plays are often brilliant, and even lesser variants are fun to watch, because piñata-whacking itself is a naughty thrill, a cathartic fantasy for anyone with a family and/or a secret.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The sheriff's office extended condolences to the child's family and loved ones, calling the incident a tragic reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can turn dangerous.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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As multiple cities around Jackson County move to ban types of unregulated and potentially dangerous ‘gas station drugs’ — specifically more potent variations of kratom — Lee’s Summit has not only joined the charge but has taken restrictions even further.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The playful conductor will explain you are headed to La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in Latin America, in the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, and where Jose Cuervo is still produced.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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Home and family are your main focus; nevertheless, romance and playful diversions also appeal to you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Gas and diesel prices have soared since the start of the Iran war, but the situation could get even worse later this year because of ethanol requirements and problems with fertilizer supply chains.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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Flattening the curve—making bad floods somewhat less bad—feels achievable.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This week, California regulators are taking a critical look at one of the state’s most harmful laws.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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Awareness, not alarm, is a powerful tool for families navigating online spaces where harmful language and intent are often hidden in plain sight.—
Sharlette A. Kellum,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Like the impish anti-romance that crumbles around it, the movie’s twist is both transgressive enough to be pleased with itself and also rooted in a reality that refuses to be dismissed as a bad joke.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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Helm is the curious, mercurial, impish, affectionate and dangerous air current of the English Pennines, swooping over the Eden District from prehistory until now.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The most common adverse events were falls and muscle weakness, which overlap with ALS symptoms.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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When you're stressed or angry, your cortisol levels rise, which can have adverse effects on your heart, metabolism, and immune system.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
Video
'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine
'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.
Cite this Entry
“Mischievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischievous. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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